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Sunny arrives at her childhood home, to find many of Cheering Woman's things where she had left them. She is given a doeskin ceremonial dress made for her by Cheering Woman to wear on her wedding day. Shung' speaks to Sunny about her past. She lets Sunny know that her mother had actually stayed in touch with Sam throughout the years, and that she had paid for Cheering Woman's house, and established Sunny's scholarship. Shung' explains that Cheering Woman had felt that it was better that their paths never crossed, since her grandmother had wanted Sunny to be independent, capable of walking in both worlds, and to become Medicine. Cheering Woman always knew that Sam's death would bring Sunny home to get married, and Shung' was instructed by Cheering Woman to tell Sunny the complete story of her early life. Shung' gives Sunny a letter along with Cheering Woman's pipe. The letter contains Cheering Woman's words, and underlines her grandmother's wish that she become Medicine as Cheering Woman had done before her. Shung' brings Sunnyto the present by discussing her future. Sunny is not ready to hear Shung's words about her life of created illusion. Shung' is harsh with Sunny pointing out how she has punished men in her life because of Sam, and that she doesn't care who she hurts. At this time Sunny is afraid that Shung' will demand that she study Medicine and postpone her marriage. Later when Sunny brings Shung' a loaded pipe and asks her about returning to the old ways, Shung' asks Sunny if she still runs with the wolf. At this time Sunny tells Shung' about her wolf dreams, that lets Shung' know that the spirits were talking too loudly to be ignored. After two more days of intense questioning, Shung' accepts Sunny as an apprentice. She continues to counsel Sunny, pointing out her headstrong ways, praying that she can harness this energy and use it to fulfill her life's destiny. Shung' meets Meeko and is suspicious of him. She speaks to Meeko about love that is expressed through another's spiritual growth, and about the possibilities of the relationship unraveling. However, the couple feels that the marriage will last. Shung' encourages Meeko to support Sunny becoming Medicine. Before the marriage ceremony, many of Meeko's relatives come to announce that Red Feather, Chief of the Assiniboine tribe, is formally adopting Sunny into the tribe as a daughter. Within a week, both families come together to celebrate, and acknowledge the adoption. Shung' still reminds Sunny that she will always remain a good Dakota woman. The wedding starts with an Inipi ceremony to begin their joining. The couple shares their pipes with the families, sanctioning the ceremony. Afterwards Sunny and Meeko stand solemnly at the marriage altar. Once the union is witnessed by Wakan Tanka, the families and the couple become bonded in the old traditional way, and a great beauty is reborn among the people. |
© 2000 The Red Pathway Learning Center & Foundation, Inc.
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Wind Wolf Woman |